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If you hire a photographer to photograph you, don't you own the copyright as their employer? Unless they took the photographs for free, the copyright notices t

If you hire a photographer to photograph you, don't you own the copyright as their employer? Unless they took the photographs for free, the copyright notices they put on them are fraudulent.

jdlshore 3y ago
It’s very common for portrait photographers to retain the copyright for photos they take, or at least it used to be.
tkems 3y ago
From my understanding, the copyright is held by the photographer unless you have a contract stating such. I was shocked that most wedding photographers consider giving up copyright a deal breaker (unless you pay a huge amount more): https://www.reddit.com/r/WeddingPhotography/comments/10esy2i/never_give_up_your_copyright/ https://www.reddit.com/r/WeddingPhotography/comments/10esy2i... edit: If you are working as a employee (think W-2), it is different. Just hiring someone to take pictures (think 1099/contractor), I think is not covered under the same rules.
freejazz 3y ago
All creators maintain copyright in their works, unless its specifically stated that it's a work for hire, or you specifically transfer the copyright in a written document. Copyrights accrue to the creators of things, not the financiers of things. It is often the case that creators of things sell their copyright interest to financiers, so the financiers can capitalize on the exclusive rights the copyright grants.
turquoisevar 3y ago
The short answer: it depends. The long answer: not unless transfer of copyright was explicitly part of the agreement. Slightly longer answer: In most cases nowadays when you hire a photographer, the photographer retains the copyright and will ask a considerable amount to transfer those rights to you. What you’re essentially are paying for is for them to take the photos (cheapest option), for them to print the photos after taking them (slightly more expensive), or for them to hand you the digital photo files (expensive). Neither of those options transfer copyright, as copyright is in principle granted to the person who takes the photos. Wedding photographers are notorious for monetizing every aspect of the job (I say this without value judgement) for example, where you pay a fee to cover the event, a fee for printing photos and a fee for receiving digital copies (because you don’t have to pay them for printing).

If you hire a photographer to photograph you, don't you own the copyright as their employer? Unless they took the photographs for free, the copyright notices they put on them are fraudulent.

jdlshore 3y ago

It’s very common for portrait photographers to retain the copyright for photos they take, or at least it used to be.

tkems 3y ago

From my understanding, the copyright is held by the photographer unless you have a contract stating such. I was shocked that most wedding photographers consider giving up copyright a deal breaker (unless you pay a huge amount more): https://www.reddit.com/r/WeddingPhotography/comments/10esy2i/never_give_up_your_copyright/ https://www.reddit.com/r/WeddingPhotography/comments/10esy2i... edit: If you are working as a employee (think W-2), it is different. Just hiring someone to take pictures (think 1099/contractor), I think is not covered under the same rules.

freejazz 3y ago

All creators maintain copyright in their works, unless its specifically stated that it's a work for hire, or you specifically transfer the copyright in a written document. Copyrights accrue to the creators of things, not the financiers of things. It is often the case that creators of things sell their copyright interest to financiers, so the financiers can capitalize on the exclusive rights the copyright grants.

turquoisevar 3y ago

The short answer: it depends. The long answer: not unless transfer of copyright was explicitly part of the agreement. Slightly longer answer: In most cases nowadays when you hire a photographer, the photographer retains the copyright and will ask a considerable amount to transfer those rights to you. What you’re essentially are paying for is for them to take the photos (cheapest option), for them to print the photos after taking them (slightly more expensive), or for them to hand you the digital photo files (expensive). Neither of those options transfer copyright, as copyright is in principle granted to the person who takes the photos. Wedding photographers are notorious for monetizing every aspect of the job (I say this without value judgement) for example, where you pay a fee to cover the event, a fee for printing photos and a fee for receiving digital copies (because you don’t have to pay them for printing).